Power companies in the US are turning to virtual power plants

In an article on The Conversation website, Daniel Cohan, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice University, discusses the growing role of virtual power plants as electricity demand is surging. What is a virtual power plant? An energy expert explains After nearly two decades of stagnation, U.S. electricity demand is surging, driven … Continue reading Power companies in the US are turning to virtual power plants →

New research assesses the size and uncertainty of remaining carbon budgets

Chris Smith, Senior Research Fellow in Climate Science at the University of Leeds and Robin Lamboll, Research Fellow in Atmospheric Science at Imperial College London write on The Conversation website about new research they are involved in that effectively gives the world just six years to get to net zero. Will anyone listen? Carbon … Continue reading New research assesses the size and uncertainty of remaining carbon budgets →

Will Germany really phase out coal by 2030?

Germany's finance minister has questioned the country's ability to phase out coal as an energy source by 2030. Abandoning the goal could deepen division within Germany's ruling coalition. The issue is discussed in a news item on the Deutsche Welle website this week. Germany: Minister casts doubt on 2030 coal exit Germany's finance minister … Continue reading Will Germany really phase out coal by 2030? →

Economists underestimate climate risk, says Finance Watch

In a new report, the NGO judges that by underestimating the financial repercussions of climate change, economists are encouraging politicians to inaction. Climate risk is growing to disruptive levels throughout the financial system and the guardians of financial stability urgently need to adapt their tools to regain control. Finance Watch’s new report published on its … Continue reading Economists underestimate climate risk, says Finance Watch →

New EEA briefing on the assessment of EU national adaptation actions

Climate risk assessments that take account of threats like heatwaves, droughts, floods and wildfires are increasingly being used to inform and improve national adaptation policies according to the latest European Environment Agency (EEA) assessment of national adaptation actions published recently. Heatwaves, droughts, other extreme weather events increasingly influencing adaptation policies The EEA briefing ‘Is … Continue reading New EEA briefing on the assessment of EU national adaptation actions →

Saleemul Huq, a major voice for climate justice , dies at 71

Saleem was a leading advocate of requiring industrialised nations producing the most emissions to compensate poorer countries for ‘loss and damage’ from climate change. He was a dear friend of EiD and did much to encourage us to keep the word going. Saleem was a master communicator at climate conferences. He left a gap that … Continue reading Saleemul Huq, a major voice for climate justice , dies at 71 →

Energy in Demand News, October 29th, 2023

It was encouraging this week to see the IEA publish this year’s World Energy Outlook. “The transition to clean energy is happening worldwide and it’s unstoppable. It’s not a question of ‘if’, it’s just a matter of ‘how soon’ – and the sooner the better for all of us,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, October 29th, 2023 →

UK passes Energy Act

Laws have been passed in the UK to help unlock £100bn of private investment in energy infrastructure, accelerate development of offshore wind and bring more competition to networks. The UK Energy Act 2023, which has received Royal Assent, will deliver a more efficient energy system in the long term, helping to keep costs low. … Continue reading UK passes Energy Act →

Hydropower players are forming an alliance in EU as the industry suffers from slow growth due to green concerns and a challenging investment environment

Nikolaus J. Kurmayer writes on the Euractiv website about how the hydropower sector is facing many challenges and are arguing that a European hydropower strategy is needed. Europe’s oldest renewables industry wants more attention from Brussels The EU’s biggest hydropower players have gathered to form an alliance and are asking for aid from Brussels … Continue reading Hydropower players are forming an alliance in EU as the industry suffers from slow growth due to green concerns and a challenging investment environment →

The EU’s European Innovation Council Tech Report 2023 is published

The European Innovation Council operates at the forefront of scientific and technological developments. This ambition is underlined by the EIC Tech Report 2023 highlights novel technologies and innovations submitted to the EIC under Horizon Europe. The report has an emphasis on early-stage research projects, funded following extensive independent expert review. It also includes some areas … Continue reading The EU’s European Innovation Council Tech Report 2023 is published →